Converter Charge Mysteries: Impeller Hub I.D. Effects on Flow

When charge oil is not flowing at the correct rate, the converter will operate less efficiently, the lube oil to the transmission will not be adequate, and the lockup clutch will drag on the cover in the TCC release mode. The TCC apply can feel more pronounced and could shudder because of a greater differential in turbine RPM. Delayed engagements, higher stall RPM, poor acceleration and a drop in fuel mileage may also be symptoms. Low charge oil will also affect temperature levels and the head pressure within the converter. How pronounced these symptoms are depends on the lack of converter pressure. The lower the charge oil, the worse the symptoms will be.

How many times have you heard an R&R man complaining about how slowly the oil was going down the fill tube? Quite often there was a good reason why this was happening, such as a restricted vent, the wrong filter or elevated line pressure. Then there were the times when no good reason could be found. There may be a logical explanation for some of these mysteries.

One mystery concerning the efficiency of a high performance converter was eventually traced directly to low converter charge oil. The converter was mated to a TF8 transmission and was brought in for a routine end-of-season freshenup.

The vehicle had a history of consistent performance, so no changes were made to the converter, except for replacing the worn impeller hub. But when the converter was reinstalled, the performance of the vehicle changed immediately. The car became less consistent, the 60 foot times were higher, the E.T. was higher, and the miles per hour was lower.

The mystery of why there was low charge oil going to the converter was solved, but the real mystery was just beginning. The transmission rebuilder understood what had happened to cause the poor converter charge. He reasoned that if making the area between the hub and stator support smaller by installing a smaller I.D. impeller hub restricted charge oil, then making this area larger would help converter charge. So the next time the transmission was removed from the vehicle, the raised area on the stator support was machined off, removing any possibility of a restriction.

The only problem was that the charge oil did not increase as a result. In fact, it decreased.

Why would decreasing the area of flow and increasing the area of flow both result in less converter charge oil? To solve the mystery you must have an understanding of the relationship between the orifice created between the raised area of the stator support and the impeller hub, and the balance port of the pressure regulator valve. When the PR valve is at rest, it is in the high pressure position. When the engine starts, the pump begins to create pressure (line pressure). This pressure moves the PR valve against the opposing spring pressure and opens the port for converter fill (charge oil). Any time you raise baseline pressure, whether by installing a stronger spring or turning in on the EPC base adjustment, the PR valve will move to a higher pressure position and the converter charge port will be smaller. In the transmission field it is universally accepted that enhancing line pressure slows converter fill. If you consider the effect the PR spring has on converter charge oil, it is easy to see how the balance oil on the opposite end of the PR valve could also affect converter charge. Looking at the oil chart in Figure 2, you can see how the raised area of the stator directly affects the balance of the PR valve, keeping it in the maximum fill position. If you look at the close proximity of the components in Figure 3, it is even easier to understand.

Converter charge is different on the non-lockup vs. the lockup, so the complaint will differ. On the non-lockup converters, the I.D. of the impeller hub is critical for converter charge. On a lockup converter, the charge/release oil must enter between the piston and cover. On some lockup converters TCC apply oil passes between the hub and stator. On these converters the hub to stator restriction/orifice controls how fast the apply oil enters the converter. In either case the impeller hub I.D. should not just be looked at as a clearance issue. It is much more important.